CLASSTIME

Old nerds die hard.

I'm taking a training course for my job and this involves quite a bit of reading/memorizing, followed by daily tests. It's sure been a while since I've had to study material with the idea in the back of my head that I would be tested on how much of that information I had absorbed, and I have to say that I'm enjoying the challenge (although the tests have been far from challenging, at this point).

I'm finding that writing tests is bringing out my old competitive instincts, both in wanting to do well for my own benefit, and in wanting to do better than everyone else. I've been whipping through the tests, enjoying knowing the answers to the questions. It's like I've got this whole internal monologue going on...That one's done! Next! Okay, easy! What's next! Am I done already?! Is anyone else done?!

Saying that, it's of course totally possible that I'm not nearly so clever as I think I am, and I've bombed the tests. But regardless of the final results, I'm having a good time reclaiming my inner nerd and being a student again.

MORE EVIDENCE OF SPRINGTIME

Even though the sun wasn't too keen on making an appearance this weekend, Ray and I made a point of getting out to enjoy the mild temperatures (almost 10C) and spring blooms. The crocii Ray photographed a few days ago along the Backs, behind Trinity College, have really sprung open and have created a lovely lilac carpet. From a distance it looks like it would be wonderful and soft to lay on (if a bit damp and cool).



Today we ventured slightly farther afield, to the village of Lode and its main attraction, Anglesey Abbey. Although the Abbey no longer stands, its grounds are still home to a lovely old house and nearly a hundred acres of mature garden. Their winter gardens are particularly spectacular and we enjoyed the tremendous variety of winter foliage on display. Our personal favourites were the snowdrops which were scattered all over the grounds - gives our humble garden something to dream about - and a lovely little birch grove.

BLOOM

Not only has the snow melted, but the spring flowers have recovered nicely! It was 12 degrees today, not particularly sunny but otherwise very nice.

SNOW DAY!

We woke up this morning to find that winter had finally arrived, much to Ray's delight and Kappa's disgust. Turns out the cat doesn't approve of the extremes of either summer or winter - Kappa took a couple of steps outside, moaned unhappily and then trundled himself back up to bed. His is, indeed, a rough existence.

But Ray was thrilled and the snow did make for a beautiful walk into work today. Most people left their cycles at home, as did we, and we found ourselves in the midst of a crowd purposefully walking into town. Brits sure are a stoic bunch - the only snowballs being lobbed were by Ray and yours truly. You would think that in a town full of university students the sight of large tracts of fresh powder, of perfect snowball consistency, would have been irresistable. (Then again, maybe Ray and I are just immature).

Unfortunately by this evening the snow has turned to rainy sleet and most of the nice groundcover has melted - there are only a few bits of wet snow left here and there. At least this means, though, that life in Britain can return to normal from it's current state of weather chaos. I still don't understand the physics of how less than 3cm of snow can cause disruption of rail services and airports, but in this country they manage it!

LIFE WITH A CAT

And THAT, folks, is how we study in the Grout household.

TEMPTATIONS

It's a cold, dreary Monday morning in February. You are fighting off a bit of a snuffle and tossed and turned a bit in bed last night so didn't get the best of sleeps. And just as you've finally dragged your sorry butt out of bed, showered, breakfasted and otherwise prepped yourself to leave the house in a presentable state, His Catness leaps onto the bed, rolls on his back and makes a little mewing sound - 'Stay with me. We can sleep and be cosy and eat nibbles all day, whenever we like. You know you wwwwaaannnnnttttt to'.

Kappa, you have no idea. But I held firm to my resolve to avoid both the suicidal cycle commute and becoming a statistic (according to the BBC, the first Monday in February is the day most people are likely to call in a "sickie"). As I type, I am at my desk like a good girl, taking just a wee break from running around the lab efficiently getting stuff done. And in just a few hours, I will be home making sushi and putting my feet up with Ray and Kappa, which is definitely something to look forward too!

ADDENDUM TO CYCLE CHAOS

It seems as though I'm not the only one who thinks the Cambridge Cycle Commute is insane. This morning, as I cycled down one of the main streets in town, I almost ran over a BBC cameraman who stepped backwards into the road to get a better shot of the cyclists whizzing past. Mr Cameraman almost got a painful lesson in what happens to pedestrians in this town when they step into the road without looking!